November 20, Jerron M. Johnson Chief Field Program Officer Missouri Community Service Commission

Transcription

1 November 20, 2015 Jerron M. Johnson Chief Field Program Officer Missouri Community Service Commission

2 Session Overview Purpose of AmeriCorps Funding Disclosures Eligibility Grant Application: General Guidelines Grant Application: Submission Guidelines AmeriCorps State Formula Timeline Technical Assistance

3 Purpose of AmeriCorps Funding AmeriCorps grants are awarded to eligible organizations proposing to engage AmeriCorps Members in evidence-based or evidenceinformed interventions to strengthen communities.

4 Disclosures Estimated Available Funds The application process is highly competitive. The level of funding is subject to the availability of the annual appropriation received by MCSC (pending). Typically, grant requests exceed the annual appropriation MCSC receives to award grants.

5 Disclosures Disclosures: 1. Publication of the NOFO does not obligate MCSC (or CNCS) to award any specific number of grants or to obligate the entire amount of funding available. 2. MCSC reserves the right to fund applicants at a lower level than the grant request. 3. MCSC reserves the right to refocus funding in the event of disaster or other compelling need for service. 4. MCSC reserves the right to deduct points for noncompliant items in the grant application as well as disqualify applicants that do not adhere to the grant application guidelines.

6 Eligibility Eligible Organizations: Public / private nonprofit organizations w/ 501(c)3 status Faith- / community-based organizations Educational institutions State or local government agencies Ineligible Organizations: Organizations convicted of a federal crime Organizations described in Section 501(c)4 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 that engage in lobbying activities pursuant to the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995

7 Eligibility Minimum Corps Size Requirements Applicant Type Minimum # of MSY Maximum # of MSY New Continuation / Re-compete 5.00 n/a Note: MSY Breakdown Member Slot Type Number of MSY Minimum Number of Hours Required Full-time Half-time Reduced Half-time Quarter-time Minimum-time

8 Eligibility DUNS Number & EIN All applicants are required to have a Dun and Bradstreet Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number. To obtain a DUNS number, call (866) or apply online at All applicants are required to have a Employer Identification Number (EIN). This is also referred to as the Federal Employer Identification Number (FEIN) or Taxpayer Identification Number.

9 Eligibility SAM Registration All federal grant recipients, including sub-grantees of state commissions, are required to maintain a valid System for Award Management (SAM) registration. To register with SAM online, go to Organizations must have a DUNS number prior to registering with SAM.

10 Grant Application: General Guidelines Grant Award / Project Period Generally, a grant covers a 3-year period, with an initial award and subsequent continuation awards (with an application for continued funding). Continuation funding is not guaranteed. The project period proposed in the grant application should be for one year. The project start date may not be prior to August 1st. The project period may not exceed 12 months. Example: 8/1/2016 7/31/2017 or 9/1/2016 8/31/2017

11 Grant Application: General Guidelines Threshold Requirements Applications should reflect that they meet the threshold requirements for the applicable grant type (outlined in the NOFO). If an applicant is applying for a Professional Corps grant, its application should demonstrate that the community in which it will place AmeriCorps Members serving as professionals has an inadequate number of said professionals.

12 Grant Application: General Guidelines Threshold Requirements If the proposed service activities require specialized Member qualifications and/or training, the applicant must describe how the requirements will be met. Example: Tutoring programs must adhere to 45 CFR

13 Grant Application: General Guidelines Application Narrative Formatting The narrative must be in Times New Roman, 12- point font. The narrative must have one-inch margins with double-spaced text. The narrative must follow the sequence outlined in the NOFO. The narrative sections must be labeled with the appropriate headings. The narrative should not include graphs, charts, tables, or artwork.

14 Grant Application: General Guidelines Application Narrative Formatting (cont ) The pages must be numbered. The narrative must adhere to the estimated number of pages in Microsoft Word to comply with character limits in egrants, as follows: Approximately 18 pages in Microsoft Word The page limit does not apply to the coversheet, performance measures, budget, evaluation plan and/or report (re-compete applicants), or other attachments outlined in the NOFO.

15 Grant Application: General Guidelines Helpful Tips Lead from your strengths and be explicit. meaning do not try to stretch the proposed program description to fit a funding priority. Be clear and succinct. meaning avoid rhetoric or exaggeration. Avoid circular reasoning. meaning the problem described should not be defined simply as the lack of the solution you are proposing.

16 Grant Application: General Guidelines Helpful Tips Explain the how. meaning do not just state that a certain criteria will be met. Describe how the proposed project will meet the criteria. Don t make assumptions. meaning do not assume the reviewers know who you are and what you do (esp. if you ve received AmeriCorps funding before). Use an impartial proofreader. meaning let someone unfamiliar with your project read and provide feedback on the application. (MCSC will not serve as proofreaders.)

17 Grant Application: General Guidelines Helpful Tips Follow the instructions. meaning adhere to all guidelines outlined in the NOFO. Do not attempt to enter applications in egrants. meaning adhere to the submission requirements outlined in the NOFO.

18 Grant Application: Submission Requirements Concept Papers (first-time/new applicants) Required for first-time/new applicants or existing programs proposing new projects. Submit the completed concept paper template via to by the specified deadline. The concept paper template is available at

19 Grant Application: Submission Requirements Grant Applications Submit the narrative portion in Microsoft Word format via to AND Submit one single-sided original of the complete application AND seven (7) single-sided copies of the partial application. Complete vs. partial is outlined in the NOFO. DO NOT STAPLE. You may submit in person or via carrier service to: Missouri Community Service Commission ATTN: Jerron M. Johnson 301 W. High Street, Room 770 P.O. Box 118 Jefferson City, MO

20 AmeriCorps State Formula Timeline DEADLINE Friday, December 18, 2015 (by 5:00 pm, CST) Friday, March 11, 2016 (by 3:00 pm, CST) Friday, April 22 Friday, April 29, 2016 AC STATE FORMULA Concept Papers due to MCSC (first-time/new applicants) Grant applications due to MCSC Clarification Period Friday, May 20, 2016 Anticipated Date of Award Notification

21 Technical Assistance Technical assistance questions may be directed to MCSC staff Monday Friday, 9:00 AM 4:30 PM (CST) up until Wednesday, March 9, Don Stamper, Executive Director (573) , Jerron M. Johnson, Chief Field Program Officer (573) , Christine Gardner, Field Program Officer/Event Coordinator (573) , Sarah Ehrhard Reid, Field Program Officer (573) , Ashley Jones-Kaufman, Field Program Officer (573) ,